Wire Stringing Angle Clamp

ABSTRACT

A stringing angle clamp device and methods associated therewith are provided. The stringing angle clamp device has a pulley wheel rotatable about an axle. A connecting structure has at least a first end and a second end, wherein the first end rotatably is affixed to the axle and the second end is sized to connect to a utility pole. A first guide arm and a second guide arm are each rotatably affixed to the axle. A first wire clamping structure is affixed to the first guide arm and a second wire clamping structure is affixed to the second guide arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/601,813, entitled, “Wire Stringing Angle Clamp” filed Feb. 22, 2012,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to overhead transmission anddistribution systems and more particularly is related to a wirestringing angle clamp used in overhead transmission and distributionsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Messenger wires used in overhead transmission and distribution systemsneed to be strung with temporary stringing devices which are replacedwith permanent retention devices. Overhead conductor cables are commonlysuspended from a messenger wire typically made of high strength alloys.The messenger wire is supported on poles or towers with the conductorcable spacers arranged at spaced intervals along the messenger wire tosuspend one or more conductor cables. Installation of the messenger wireis a tedious and expensive process, since it conventionally requires theuse of numerous different installation devices, and then an exchangingof the installation devices for permanent retention devices. Forexample, a utility worker installing a messenger wire will have to firstinstall the installation devices, then string the messenger wire throughthe installation devices, and then go back to each of the installationdevices and replace it with a permanent retention device. Additionalsteps such as tensioning the messenger cable with a winch or pulley,conventionally known as a come-along, may be needed as well.

The use of these many installation and permanent retention componentscomes at a high cost to utility companies. These costs, coupled with theexpense in man hours for installation of the messenger wire addssignificant costs to the operational budgets of the utility companies,which is passed along to the consumer in the form of higher utilitybills. Furthermore, if a messenger wire becomes dislodged during thetensioned transfer process, the potential for accidents and injurieswhile installing the messenger wires and changing out temporary devicesfor permanent devices is significant, as messenger wires may be underhigh tension force.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method forstringing angle clamp device. Briefly described, in architecture, oneembodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows.The stringing angle clamp device has a pulley wheel rotatable about anaxle. A connecting structure has at least a first end and a second end,wherein the first end rotatably is affixed to the axle and the secondend is sized to connect to a utility pole. A first guide arm and asecond guide arm are each rotatably affixed to the axle. A first wireclamping structure is affixed to the first guide arm and a second wireclamping structure is affixed to the second guide arm.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a method ofstringing and retaining a wire on a utility pole. In this regard, oneembodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized bythe following steps: connecting a stringing angle clamp device to theutility pole, the stringing angle clamp having a pulley wheel rotatableabout an axle, a first guide arm and a second guide arm, each rotatablyaffixed to the axle, and a first wire clamping structure affixed to thefirst guide arm and a second wire clamping structure affixed to thesecond guide arm; stringing the wire between the first wire clampingstructure and the second wire clamping structure, wherein a portion ofthe wire between first and second wire clamping structure contacts thepulley wheel; and retaining the wire with each of the first and secondwire clamping structures.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing an apparatus forangularly retaining a wire. In this regard, one embodiment of such anapparatus, among others, may be implemented as follows. The apparatusfor angularly retaining a wire has a pulley wheel rotatable about anaxle. A connecting structure is connected to the axle and secures thepulley wheel a substantially stationary distance from a utility pole. Afirst guide arm is positioned in a first direction and a second guidearm is positioned in a second direction, wherein the second direction isbetween 90° and 175° from the first direction. A first wire clampingstructure is affixed to the first guide arm and a second wire clampingstructure is affixed to the second guide arm, wherein the wire isforcibly retained by the first and second wire clamping structures.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a top view illustration of a stringing angle clamp device, inaccordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of the stringing angle clampdevice of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of a stringing angle clampdevice, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view illustration of the pulley wheel and axle of thestringing angle clamp device of FIG. 3, in accordance with the secondexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view illustration of the connecting structureof a stringing angle clamp device, in accordance with a third exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustration of a stringing angle clamp device, inaccordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view illustration of a stringing angle clamp device, inaccordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of two stringing angle clamp devices,in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of stringing and retaining awire on a utility pole in accordance with the first exemplary embodimentof the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top view illustration of a stringing angle clamp device 10,in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The stringing angle clamp device 10, which may be referredto herein simply as ‘device 10’ includes a pulley wheel 20 rotatableabout an axle 22. A connecting structure 30 has at least a first end 32and a second end 34, wherein the first end 32 is rotatably affixed tothe axle 22 and the second end 34 is sized to connect to a utility pole6. A first guide arm 40 and a second guide arm 42 are each rotatablyaffixed to the axle 22. A first messenger wire clamping structure 50 isaffixed to the first guide arm 40 and a second messenger wire clampingstructure 52 is affixed to the second guide arm 42.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 is used with stringing andretaining a messenger wire 8 commonly used with utility transmission,distribution, or conducting cables. The messenger wire 8, which may alsobe known in the industry as a messenger cable or a catenary, is adurable wire structure that is used to support cable, such as aconductor cable or transmission and distribution cables. Commonly, thecables are suspended or affixed to the messenger wire 8 and themessenger wire 8 is retained between utility poles 6, utility towers andother structures, such as buildings or other infrastructure, where themessenger wire 8 is arranged at intervals to suspend one or moreconductor cables. The messenger wire 8 may be constructed from manydifferent materials, or combinations there, but may commonly beconstructed from high strength steel wire, other high strength alloys,or a similar material that has high strength characteristics and isdurable under many weather conditions. Although the messenger wire 8 isoften distinct and separate from a cable, it may be formed as anintegral part of the cable. In accordance with this disclosure, the wire8 may include any type of wire, self-supporting or used to supportanother cable.

The device 10 may be used during both the installation of the messengerwire 8 and to retain the messenger wire 8 in an installed position foran indefinite period of time, such as for the months or years theconductor cable may be in place. Conventional systems include those usedto string messenger wires 8 and those used to retain the messenger wire8 in place for the indefinite period of time. However, since two devicesare needed to complete installation, i.e., an installation device and apermanent retaining device, installing new messenger wires 8 is a costlyand inefficient process. After the messenger wire 8 is strung throughthe conventional installation device, a utility worker must remove theinstallation device and replace it with a permanent retaining device.Ultimately, this increases the time and expense for installing messengerwires 8.

One of the many benefits of the device 10 disclosed herein is that itcan save both time and money by allowing for faster installation of themessenger wire 8 and by retaining the messenger wire 8 in the installedposition permanently. With reference to FIG. 1 and described in furtherdetail in the additional figures, during installation of the messengerwire 8, a first end of the messenger wire 8 may be strung through thefirst messenger wire clamping structure 50 of the first guide arm 40.The messenger wire 8 may then be wrapped around a portion of the pulleywheel 20 and strung through the second messenger wire clamping structure52 of the second guide arm 42. The messenger wire 8 may then be strungto any additional number of devices 10 or utility poles 6. Once theposition of the messenger wire 8 is achieved, each of the first andsecond messenger wire clamping structures 50, 52 may be clamped ortightened to retain the messenger wire 8 in place within the device 10.The device 10 may then hold and support the messenger wire 8 for anindefinite period of time.

The device 10 may be affixed to any type of utility pole 6 or utilitytower with the connecting structure 30. The connecting structure 30 mayinclude any type of structure or device that holds the pulley wheel 20in a position proximate to the utility pole 6. The connecting structure30 may be affixed to the pulley wheel 20 with the axle 22 at the firstend 32, and connected or fastened to the utility pole 6 on the secondend 34 of the connecting structure 30. Of course, the second end 34 ofthe connecting structure 30 may be connected or affixed to anotherstructure or device that is connected to the utility pole 6, such as across arm or other securing structure. The second end 34 of theconnecting structure 30 may include a variety of designs and structuresfor connecting to the utility pole 6 in a number of ways. For example,as is discussed further in FIG. 5 the second end 34 may include a forkedportion with a pin that connects to a metal bracket bolted to theutility pole 6.

Generally, the second end 34 of the connecting structure 30 is connectedto the utility pole 6 such that it retains the pulley wheel 20 and axle22 in a location having a substantially predetermined distance from theutility pole 6. In other words, the connecting structure 30 may beconnected to the utility pole 6 with a movable connection, such as onethat pivots, but the distance between the utility pole 6 and the pulleywheel 20 remains substantially constant. This may allow the device 10 tobe oriented in a particular direction during installation or afterinstallation while at the same time ensuring that the device 10 issecurely connected to the utility pole 6. All designs and variations ofthe connecting structure 30 including those not explicitly discussedherein are considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

The pulley wheel 20 and axle 22 may be retained on the first end 32 ofthe connecting structure 30. The pulley wheel 20 is rotatable about theaxle 22, such that it can freely rotate without substantial hindrancedue to friction or other forces. For example, the axle 22 may be a boltor other structure that is positioned within an opening at a centerpoint of the pulley wheel 20. The first end 32 of the connectingstructure 30 may have one or more holes located therein which the axle22 can traverse through. The connection points between the first end 32of the connecting structure 30 and the axle 22, as well as between thepulley wheel 20 and the axle 22 may all be easily movable, such that allcomponents of the device 10 rotate about the axle 22. However, theconnecting structure 30 or another component of the device 10 may beretained to the axle 22 in a non-rotatable manner, depending on design.

The first and second guide arms 40, 42 may be used to guide themessenger wire 8 and support the first and second messenger wireclamping structures 50, 52. The first and second guide arms 40, 42 maybe rotatable with respect to the axle 22, such that the first and secondguide arms 40, 42 can be oriented at desired angles from each other. Forexample, the first and second guide arms 40, 42 may commonly be usedwith an orientation of approximately 90° to 175° from each other, asmeasured from the axle 22 between a central axis parallel to anelongated length of the first and second guide arms 40, 42 (15° to 90°as measured from oppositely-positioned first and second guide arms 40,42 that are oriented parallel from one another). This may correspond toan angle in the stringing of the conductor cable between utility poles 6with an angle of 90° to 175° therebetween. Of course, the device 10 maybe used with angles over 175° or angles less than 90°. Generally, acommon messenger stringing clamp may be used for angles between 175° and180°, and it is rare to string cable at angles less than 90°.

The first and second messenger wire clamping structures 50, 52 arepositioned on the first and second guide arms 40, 42, respectively. Thefirst and second messenger wire clamping structures 50, 52 may includeany type of clamping structure or wire clamp, such as a clamp having twoopposing structures that may be biased or retained proximate to oneanother. The first and second messenger wire clamping structures 50, 52may have at least an open position where the messenger wire 8 can beinserted into the first and second messenger wire clamping structures50, 52, and a closed position where the messenger wire 8 is forciblyretained within the first and second messenger wire clamping structures50, 52. For example, the first and second messenger wire clampingstructures 50, 52 may each include a fastener, such as a threaded boltand nut, which can be used to place the first and second messenger wireclamping structures 50, 52 in the closed position. Any additionalvariations, components or features not explicitly disclosed herein maybe included with the device 10.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of the stringing angle clampdevice 10 of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure. As is shown, the device 10 includes thepulley 20 and the axle 22 with the connecting structure 30 (FIG. 1) andthe first and second guide arms 40, 42 rotatably affixed to the axle 22.Both the first and second guide arms 40, 42 and the connecting structure30 have forked end sections where they are contacting the axle 22 (onlythe first end 32 of the connecting structure 30 is shown). This allowsthe connecting structure 30 and the first and second guide arms 40, 42to contact and attach to the axle 22 at two points along the axle 22with the pulley wheel 20 positioned interior to each of the contactingstructure 30 and the first and second guide arms 40, 42.

When the messenger wire 8 is fully installed with the device 10, themessenger wire 8 may be strung between the first messenger wire clampingstructure 50 and the second messenger wire clamping structure 52 andacross the pulley wheel 20. In other words, the portion of the messengerwire 8 that is positioned between the first and second messenger wireclamping structures 50, 52 may contact a portion of the pulley wheel 20.The angle of the first and second guide arms 40, 42 may dictate how muchof the pulley wheel 20 is contacted by the messenger wire 8. The firstand second messenger wire clamping structures 50, 52 may retain themessenger wire 8 in a substantially stationary position, such thatconductor cables and other utility lines may be suspended from it. Asone having skill in the art can see, when the device 10 is used, thereis no need for a utility worker to remove the device 10 and install anyother structure, since the device 10 can be used permanently. The onlymodifications that may be made to the device 10 after the messenger wire8 is strung, for example, is simply tightening the first and secondmessenger wire clamping structures 50, 52 to retain the messenger wire 8in a secured position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of a stringing angle clampdevice 110, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The stringing angle clamp device 110 of the secondexemplary embodiment, which may be referred to herein as ‘device 110,’is substantially similar to, and may include any of the components,features and characteristics of the device 10 of the first exemplaryembodiment. As is shown in FIG. 3, the device 110 includes a pulleywheel 120 rotatable about an axle 122. A connecting structure 130 isrotatably affixed to the axle 122 at a first end. A second end of theconnecting structure 130 is sized to connect to a utility pole 106. Afirst guide arm 140 and a second guide arm 142 are each rotatablyaffixed to the axle 122. A first messenger wire clamping structure 150is affixed to the first guide arm 140 and a second messenger wireclamping structure 152 is affixed to the second guide arm 142.

The device 110 further includes at least a first braking structure 160positioned on the first guide arm 140 and a second braking structure 162positioned on the second guide arm 142. The first and second brakingstructures 160, 162 may include any type or sized structure that ispositioned on the first or second guide arm 140, 142, respectively. Forexample, as is shown in FIG. 3, the first and second braking structures160, 162 include a structure positioned between each of the first orsecond guide arm 140, 142, respectively and the pulley wheel 120. Thefirst and second guide arms 140, 142 and each of the first and secondbraking structures 160, 162 may be movable between at least a firstposition where the first and second braking structures 160, 162 are notin contact with the pulley wheel 120 (as is shown in FIG. 3 with thesecond guide arm 142 and the second braking structure 162) and a secondposition where the first and second braking structures 160, 162 are incontact with the pulley wheel 120 (as is shown in FIG. 3 with the firstguide arm 140 and the first braking structure 160).

The first and second braking structures 160, 162 may be used as aself-braking system within the device 110, which may help limit movementof the messenger wire 108 in certain scenarios. For example, when amessenger wire 108 that is strung between utility poles 106 breaks, theforces from the release of the tension within the messenger wire 108 maytransfer throughout the messenger wire 108, which, when combined withthe weight of the messenger wire 108 and any cable supported thereon,may result in a downed messenger wire 108. To help prevent this, thedevice 110 clamps the messenger wire 108 on either side of the pulleywheel 120 with the first and second messenger wire clamping structures150. As the messenger wire 108 breaks, the forces on either side of thedevice 110 from the messenger wire 108 will pull the messenger wire 108along the axis of the messenger wire 108, in one direction or anotherdepending on where the break occurs.

The first and second braking structures 160, 162 may alleviate some ofthe forces when the messenger wire 108 breaks by frictionally hinderingthe movement of the pulley wheel 120. In FIG. 3, the messenger wire 108is illustrated as having a break 109 proximate to the first guide arm140. The resulting force within the messenger wire 108 would pull thefirst guide arm 140 towards the pulley wheel 120, since the messengerwire 108 is retained on the first guide arm 140 by the first messengerwire clamping structure 150. As this happens, the first brakingstructure 160 may contact the pulley wheel 120, thereby applying africtional load to the pulley wheel 120 which will hinder the rotationof the pulley wheel 120. Although this may not prevent all movement ofthe messenger wire 108 within the device 110, it may substantiallyreduce the movement of the messenger wire 108, which may in turn lessenany damage that is likely to occur.

The first and second braking structures 160, 162 may include manydifferent variations to enhance or adjust the type of braking or brakingforce applied to the pulley wheel 120. For example, the pulley wheel 120may have a plurality of teeth formed along the circumference of thepulley wheel 120 which the first and second braking structures 160, 162may engage when the messenger wire 108 breaks. This may preventsubstantially all movement within the pulley wheel 120 from the directcontact of the first and second braking structures 160, 162 with theteeth, as opposed to only hindering movement of the pulley wheel 120from a frictional load. Other variations may include using high-frictionmaterials at all contacting surfaces between the pulley wheel 120 andthe first and second braking structures 160, 162.

FIG. 4 is a top view illustration of the pulley wheel 120 and axle 122of the stringing angle clamp device 110 of FIG. 3, in accordance withthe second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Movement ofthe first and second braking structures 160, 162 in contacting thepulley wheel 120 may be controlled by the movement of the first andsecond guide arms 140, 142. Movement of the first and second guide arms140, 142 may be controlled based on the connection between the first andsecond guide arms 140, 142 and the axle 122. As is shown in FIG. 4, theaxle 122 may be positioned within a hole in each of the first and secondguide arms 140, 142, as well as the connecting structure 130. Theconnecting structure 130 may have a substantially circular hole, or anyother type of hole, since it merely rotates around the axle. The firstand second guide arms 140, 142, however, may each have holes that allowfor rotational movement about the axle 122 and lateral movement towardsand away from the axle 122. This lateral movement allows the first andsecond guide arms 140, 142 to move between the first position where thefirst and second braking structures 160, 162 on each of the first andsecond guide arms 140, 142 does not contact the pulley wheel 120, andthe second position where the first and second braking structures 160,162 on each of the first and second guide arms 140, 142 contacts thepulley wheel 120.

The hole within the first and second guide arms 140, 142 may be shapedin a variety of ways to allow for the lateral movement of the first andsecond guide arms 140, 142. As is shown, the shape of the hole may be astadium hole, also referred to as ‘stadium’ or ‘stadium circle,’ whichis a shape having two half circles joined by straight lines with concavesides on the inside. Other names for this shape include ‘paper clipoval’ and ‘racetrack shaped.’ This particular shape allows for movementof the first and second guide arms 140, 142 in laterally androtationally, but may substantially prevent movement in other directions(tolerance dependent). Other shapes that may be used include oval shapedholes, rectangular holes, or another other shape that permits thenecessary movement. As one having skill in the art can see, a positionof the axle 122 within the stadium hole of the first and second guidearm 140, 142 may correspond to at least one of the positions, contactingor non-contacting, of the first and second braking structures 160, 162and the pulley wheel 120.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view illustration of the connecting structure230 of a stringing angle clamp device, in accordance with a thirdexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The connecting structure230 of the third exemplary embodiment may be used with any of thedevices of the other embodiments of the present disclosure, or anyvariations thereof. The connecting structure 230 has a first end 232which connects to the pulley wheel 220 via an axle (not shown) and asecond end 234 which is sized to connect to a utility pole (not shown).The second end 234 may include an adjustable connector structure 236which allows for making adjustments in the connecting structure 230 whenconnecting it to the utility pole.

In particular, the adjustable connector structure 236 may have a slotengagement unit 237 which removably engages with an engagement structure238 on the connecting structure 230. This slot engagement unit 237 andengagement structure 238 may retain the adjustable connector structure236 to the first end 232 of the connecting structure 230. The slotengagement unit 237 may have a slot or channel that runs around theouter surface, i.e. all four sides, of the adjustable connectorstructure 236. This design allows the engagement structure 238 to engagewith the adjustable connector structure 236 in at least four differentorientations. To prevent the slot engagement unit 237 from becomingdislodged, a first hole 282 and perpendicularly intersecting second hole284 may be formed through the adjustable connector structure 236 and athird hole 280 may be formed through a portion of the connectingstructure 230 proximate to the engagement structure 238, as is shown inFIG. 5. A pin or bolt may be inserted within one of the first and secondholes 282, 284, depending on the orientation of the adjustable connectorstructure 236, and inserted in the third hole 280 to retain thestructures together appropriately.

As can be seen, the second end 234 of the connecting structure 230 has aforked section with a fourth hole 286 positioned therein, as indicatedby broken lines in FIG. 5. This fourth hole 286 at the second end 234may be used to retain the connecting structure 230 to a utility pole, ora structure on the utility, such as a metallic bracket or similardevice. However, depending on the orientation of the bracket affixed tothe utility pole, the adjustable connector structure 236 may have to berotated about an axis parallel to the elongated length of the adjustableconnector structure 236. This rotation will allow the fourth hole 286 tohave an orientation that can correspond to a bracket on a utility pole.

The adjustability of the slot engagement unit 237 and the engagementstructure 238 may allow for different orientations of the adjustableconnector structure 236, thereby allowing for different ways ofconnecting the connecting structure 230 to a bracket on the utilitypole. For example, in one orientation, the fourth hole 286 may beparallel to the third hole 280, whereas in another orientation, thefourth hole 286 may be perpendicular to the third hole 280. In thisfirst orientation, a bolt or pin may be placed through the first hole282 and the third hole 280 to secure the adjustable connector structure236 to the first end 232, whereas in the second orientation, the bolt orpin may be placed through the second hole 284 and the third hole 280.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustration of a stringing angle clamp device310, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The stringing angle clamp device 310, which may be referredto herein simply as ‘device 310’ may be used with any of the devices ofthe other embodiments of the present disclosure, or any variationsthereof. The device 310 includes a pulley wheel 320 rotatable about anaxle 322. A connecting structure 330 is rotatably affixed to the axle322 at a first end and is sized to connect to a utility pole (not shown)at a second end. A first guide arm 340 and a second guide arm 342 areprovided, wherein each of the first and second guide arms 340, 342 havemateable arm half sections. The first guide arm 340 and second guidearms 342 are each rotatably affixed to the axle 322. A first messengerwire clamping structure 350 is affixed to the first guide arm 340 and asecond messenger wire clamping structure 352 is affixed to the secondguide arm 342.

As is shown in FIG. 6, each of the first guide arm 340 and the secondguide arm 342 is formed from two halves mechanically fastened together.The two halves for each of the first and second guide arms 340, 342 maybe independent of each other when they're not fastened together, and becodependent with each other when they are fastened together. A threadedfastener 370, or similar structure, may be used to fasten the halves ofthe first and second guide arms 340, 342 together. This design allowsfor the first and second messenger wire clamping structures 350, 352 tobe integral with the first and second guide arms 340, 342, respectively.Specifically, the fastener 370 which holds the halves of the first andsecond guide arms 340, 342 together may also act as the clamping forcewithin the first and second messenger wire clamping structures 350, 352.Thus, a closed position of the fastener 370 may close the first andsecond messenger wire clamping structure 350, 352 accordingly. This mayallow for easier installation of the messenger wire within the device310, but still provide the necessary clamping of the messenger wireafter installation is complete without a variety of additional fastenersor components.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is a support connection 390 within each of thefirst and second guide arms 340, 342. The support connection 390 may beformed at a distal end of the first and second guide arms 340, 342 andbe used to assist with securing the device 310 in a desired location.The support connection 390 may have an openable hole 391 which is formedby the two halves of each of the first and second guide arms 340, 342.Formed radially about the openable hole 391 may be a groove 393 andchannel 392 (indicated with broken lines) which can also be used tosecure the device 310. The groove 393 may be a furrow or curvedindentation that is formed by edges of the support connection 390proximate to the openable hole 391, such that the groove 393 runsradially about the openable hole 391 on both halves of the supportconnection 390. The channel 392 may be a passageway, such as a hole oropen connection that is formed through both halves of the supportconnection 390 in a position between the openable hole 391 and thefastener 370, as is indicated in FIG. 6. The channel 392 may be integralwith the groove 393, thereby providing a fluid path for anotherstructure to be placed in, such as a structure used for securing themessenger wire to the angle clamp device 310. For example, the groove393 and channel 392 may be used to accept a device such as a helicalgrip to secure the messenger wire to the angle clamp device 310.

FIG. 7 is a top view illustration of a stringing angle clamp device 310,in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As is shown, a messenger wire 308 may be secured between thefirst and second messenger wire clamping structures 350, 352 and aroundthe pulley wheel, in the same manner as described with reference toFIG. 1. In addition to the first and second messenger wire clampingstructures 350, 352, the messenger wire 308 may be secured with asecuring device 396, such as a preformed grip, which is looped aroundsupport connection 390 and connected to the messenger wire 308. As isshown in FIG. 7, one end of the securing device 396 may be clamped witha fastener 395 to the messenger wire 308 to secure the messenger wire308 to the angle clamp device 310. Within the industry, using a securingdevice 396 is to secure the messenger wire 308 may be referred to as a‘dead end.

The other end of the securing device 396 may be looped around thesupport connection 390 and secured to itself, or secured to anotherstructure. The securing device 396may sit within the groove 393 (FIG. 6)and channel 392 formed within the two halves of the first and secondguide arms 340, 342, which may be angled in the direction of themessenger wire 308. When the securing device 396 is secured to itself,the securing device 396 end may be looped around the support connection390, such that it traverses around the openable hole 391. The securingdevice 396may then be affixed to itself with a fastener 395, such as aclasp or clamp. The securing device 396may be secured in this positionfor an indefinite period of time, while the device 310 supports it onthe utility pole 306. It is noted that often two securing device 396will be tied off on a device 310, as is shown in FIG. 7. However, thedevice 310 may also function properly with only one securing device396being tied off on only one of the first and second guide arms 340,342.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of two stringing angle clamp devices410, in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The devices 410 of the fifth exemplary embodiment may beused with any of the devices of the other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, or any variations thereof. As is shown, each of the devices410 includes a pulley wheel 420 rotatable about an axle 422. Aconnecting structure 430 has at least a first end 432 and a second end434, wherein the first end 432 is rotatably affixed to the axle 422 andthe second end 434 is sized to connect to a utility pole 406. A firstguide arm 440 and a second guide arm 442 are each rotatably affixed tothe axle 422. A first messenger wire clamping structure 450 is affixedto the first guide arm 440 and a second messenger wire clampingstructure 452 is affixed to the second guide arm 442. Similar to asdescribed in FIG. 7, the devices 410 in FIG. 8 may utilize a dead endconfiguration, where a securing device 496 is secured between thesupport connection 490 and the messenger wire 408 with fasteners 495 tosecure the messenger wire 408 to the devices 410, respectively.

As is illustrated in FIG. 8, two devices 410 may be used together on asingle utility pole 406. The devices 410 may function in the same as isdiscussed with respect to the first exemplary embodiment. It may benecessary or desirable to use two devices 410 to string and retain awire 408 to a utility pole 406 when the wire 408 arrives and leaves theutility pole 4. In other words, two devices 410 may be used when theangle between the two paths of the wire 408 connecting to the utilitypole 406 is substantially between 90° and 120°. Accordingly, a singledevice 410 may be best suited for angles approximately greater than120°. It is noted that the structures depicted in FIG. 8 may be varied.For example, the inner first guide arm 440 and inner second guide arm442 may be omitted, leaving just the outer first and second guide arms440, 442 to guide the messenger wire 408. This configuration may beuseful when there is limited space to use the inner first and secondguide arms 440, 442.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart 500 illustrating a method of stringing andretaining a wire on a utility pole in accordance with the firstexemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It should be noted that anyprocess descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that includeone or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions inthe process, and alternate implementations are included within the scopeof the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out oforder from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrentlyor in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as wouldbe understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the presentdisclosure.

As is shown by block 502, a stringing angle clamp device is connected tothe utility pole, wherein the stringing angle clamp has a pulley wheelrotatable about an axle, a first guide arm and a second guide arm eachof which is rotatably affixed to the axle, and a first wire clampingstructure affixed to the first guide arm and a second wire clampingstructure affixed to the second guide arm. The wire is strung betweenthe first wire clamping structure and the second wire clampingstructure, wherein a portion of the wire between first and second wireclamping structure contacts the pulley wheel (block 504). The wire isretained with each of the first and second wire clamping structures(block 506).

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, aremerely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variationsand modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) ofthe disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andthe present disclosure and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stringing angle clamp device comprising: apulley wheel rotatable about an axle; a connecting structure having atleast a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably affixed tothe axle and the second end sized to connect to a utility pole; a firstguide arm and a second guide arm, each rotatably affixed to the axle;and a first wire clamping structure affixed to the first guide arm and asecond wire clamping structure affixed to the second guide arm.
 2. Thestringing angle clamp device of claim 1, further comprising at least afirst braking structure positioned on the first guide arm and a secondbraking structure positioned on the second guide arm, wherein each ofthe first and second braking structures are movable between at least afirst position not in contact with the pulley wheel and a secondposition in contact with the pulley wheel.
 3. The stringing angle clampdevice of claim 2, wherein the second position of the first and secondbraking structures applies a frictional load to the pulley wheel.
 4. Thestringing angle clamp device of claim 2, wherein the first and secondguide arms are rotatably affixed to the axle with a stadium holepositioned within the first and second guide arm.
 5. The stringing angleclamp device of claim 4, wherein a position of the axle within thestadium hole corresponds to at least one of the first and secondpositions.
 6. The stringing angle clamp device of claim 1, whereinfurther comprising a wire strung between the first wire clampingstructure and the second wire clamping structure, wherein a portion ofthe wire between first and second wire clamping structure contacts thepulley wheel.
 7. The stringing angle clamp device of claim 1, whereineach of the first and second guide arms further comprise a first armhalf and a second arm half, wherein the first arm half is mechanicallyfastened to the second arm half with at least one removable mechanicalfastener.
 8. The stringing angle clamp device of claim 7, wherein the atleast one removable mechanical fastener is connected to at least one ofthe first and second wire clamping structures, wherein a closed positionof the at least one removable mechanical fastener closes the at leastone first and second wire clamping structure.
 9. The stringing angleclamp device of claim 1, further comprising at least one supportconnection within each of the first and second guide arms.
 10. Thestringing angle clamp device of claim 1, wherein the second end of theconnecting structure is connected to the utility pole and retains thepulley wheel and axle in a location having a substantially predetermineddistance from the utility pole.
 11. The stringing angle clamp device ofclaim 1, wherein the first guide arm is positioned substantially between90° to 175° from the second guide arm.
 12. The stringing angle clampdevice of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable connector structurepositioned at the second end of the connecting structure, wherein theadjustable connector structure is rotatable along an elongated axis ofthe adjustable connector structure between at least four positions, andwherein the adjustable connector structure is removably mechanicallyfastened in place in at least one of the at least four positions. 13.The stringing angle clamp device of claim 1, further comprising asupport connection positioned on each of the first and second guidearms, the support connection having a hole and a grove and slotstructure formed axially about the hole.
 14. A method of stringing andretaining a wire on a utility pole, the method comprising: connecting astringing angle clamp device to the utility pole, the stringing angleclamp having a pulley wheel rotatable about an axle, a first guide armand a second guide arm, each rotatably affixed to the axle, and a firstwire clamping structure affixed to the first guide arm and a second wireclamping structure affixed to the second guide arm; stringing the wirebetween the first wire clamping structure and the second wire clampingstructure, wherein a portion of the wire between first and second wireclamping structure contacts the pulley wheel; and retaining the wirewith each of the first and second wire clamping structures.
 15. Themethod of stringing and retaining a wire on a utility pole of claim 14,further comprising the step of positioning the first guide armsubstantially between 90° to 175° from the second guide arm.
 16. Themethod of stringing and retaining a wire on a utility pole of claim 14,wherein the step of retaining the wire with each of the first and secondwire clamping structures further comprises the steps of: applying aforce on at least one of the first and second guide arms; moving the atleast one first and second guide arms towards the pulley wheel; andcontacting the pulley wheel with at least one braking structure locatedon the at least one first and second guide arm.
 17. The method ofstringing and retaining a wire on a utility pole of claim 16, whereinthe step of contacting the pulley wheel with the at least one brakingstructure further comprises applying a frictional load to the pulleywheel.
 18. The method of stringing and retaining a wire on a utilitypole of claim 14, wherein the step of retaining the wire with each ofthe first and second wire clamping structures further comprisesmechanically fastening the wire between a first half and a second halfof each of the first and second guide arms.
 19. An apparatus forangularly retaining a wire comprising: a pulley wheel rotatable about anaxle; a connecting structure connected to the axle and securing thepulley wheel a substantially stationary distance from a utility pole; afirst guide arm positioned in a first direction and a second guide armpositioned in a second direction, wherein the second direction isbetween 90° and 175° from the first direction; and a first wire clampingstructure affixed to the first guide arm and a second wire clampingstructure affixed to the second guide arm, wherein the wire is forciblyretained by the first and second wire clamping structures.
 20. Theapparatus for angularly retaining a wire of claim 19, further comprisinga braking structure within the first and second guide arms, wherein thebraking structure is biased towards a contacting position with thepulley wheel by the wire forcibly retained by the first and second wireclamping structures.